Korn, Pearl Jam, Killswitch Engage And HIM Members Name Their Favorite Soundgarden Record

Soundgarden is without a doubt one of the biggest and most influential bands of the grunge movement and '90s in general. Often cited among the main influences by various musicians, the Seattle based four-piece has apparently inspired the likes of Killswitch Engage, Coheed And Cambria and Sevendust. They were also named the fourth biggest grunge group of all time by the UG community.
With a total of 6 studio releases so far, Chris Cornell and co. have sold about 22.5 million records around the globe, each one having it's own unique mark. The group's latest studio effort, "King Animal", was released in November last year, marking the band's return to the music scene after over a decade long break.
In a recent Artist Direct exclusive, various rock and metal musicians have shared their opinions on what they like the most about Soundgarden. The likes of Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage and Devin Townsend have all answered a simple question - "What's your favorite Soundgarden record and why?".
Apart from naming their favorite release, some have also given their opinions on the latest Soundgarden album, unanimously praising the release. You can check out what the guys had to say below.
Brian "Head" Welch (Korn): "It's got to be Badmotorfinger. At the time, I was living in an apartment in downtown Huntington Beach with David Silveria. We worked at Pizza Hut, and we were broke. There were five guys living in a two-bedroom apartment [laughs]. MTV had started playing that 'Outshined' music video. David was always about the sound system. He had the master bedroom in every apartment we ever lived, and I had the couch [laughs]. He'd blare his tunes on his stereo, and we would play 'Badmotorfinger' on there. That's the album that stood out. It made a statement like, 'We're Soundgarden, and we're here.' It made them huge."
Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage): "That's a tough one! I'd say Badmotorfinger is the classic one for me. I really do love 'Louder Than Love' as well, but I feel like it's a different band from that record to the next. It's definitely Badmotorfinger. There's not one bad song on that record. I still dig their newer stuff too. I just love Soundgarden period, but 'Badmotorfinger' turned me on to them."
Ville Valo (HIM): "I'm a massive 'Badmotorfinger' fan. I had it on vinyl [laughs]. It's such a brilliant record. I go back to that."
Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan): "I have to say 'Badmotorfinger' just because I go back to it the most. I really like 'Superunknown' and 'Louder Than Love' too. If I had to pick, it would be in that era somewhere between 'Louder Than Love' and 'Superunknown'. If I could pick greatest hits, they'd all come from those three records. I pick Badmotorfinger because it's the record I got into them on. It's got the most sentimental value to me. There are so many cool things happening on 'Room A Thousand Years Wide'. I'd never heard that kind of shit at that age. It was the first time I'd really heard that mix of psychedelia, metal, and classic rock happening at once. Grunge was starting to take off, and it was so exciting. That record has married itself to that time period of my life."
Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Sepultura): "I like 'Badmotorfinger'. I love 'Jesus Christ Pose'. My brother Igor called it, "Tribal grunge". It's a totally tribal grunge song with crazy drums and a lot of toms. I always thought that was a great f--king track. The whole record is great with 'Outshined' and 'Rusty Cage'. I love the fact Terry Date produced it. He's one of my favorite producers. He did the whole record."
Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust): "I dig every one of their albums! I have to say 'Superunknown' though. It's got '4th Of July'. They're so incredible."
Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach): "F--k, I've got to say 'Badmotorfinger'. I haven't listened to it in a while, but I remember when it came out, I was all about it. I was so about it! I need to go listen to it. I'm going to listen to it today. Now, I f--king love 'Been Away Too Long' from 'King Animal'. I need to get that whole record too!"
James "Munky" Shaffer (Korn): "I'd still say my favorite Soundgarden record is 'Superunkown'. There are so many great songs on there, and I think a lot of people have connected over that one."
Devin Townsend: "'Louder Than Love' was the first one for me. That's probably my favorite but there's also 'Badmotorfinger'. I listened to that a ton. I had a girlfriend back when Badmotorfinger came out, and every time I hear it, I'm like, 'I remember that time!' [Laughs] I saw Soundgarden at Lollapalooza back then too."
Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam): "'King Animal' is awesome. I'm really into side two right now. When you first hear the record, I think you understand the songs on side one quicker. Now, for me, there's more depth to the songs on side two. It's classic Soundgarden. It's a really good record."
So which of these guys do you share an opinion with? And what is your favorite Soundgarden record and why? Let us know in the comments section below.

Agreed. Im starting to think I prefer King Animal over BMF. I love soundgardens shift in style around Superunknown, where the arrangements became far more proggy and the dynamics and songwriting much more varied. I adore this band.